In the News

June 5, 2012 — The Virginia Health Department last week released proposed permanent regulations for abortion clinics, which opponents said could force some facilities to close, the AP/WJLA reports (AP/WJLA, 6/2).

The regulations, which are part of a new law signed by Gov. Bob McDonnell (R), mirror emergency rules already in effect. The rules include specifications such as the size of exams rooms and number of parking spaces, as well as new requirements for inspections, record-keeping and medical procedures (Washington Post, 6/2).

The permanent regulations include changes to comply with recent amendments to the state's informed consent abortion law and to ensure that clinic employees comply with child-abuse reporting requirements, according to a memo to the state Board of Health from Erik Bodin of the health department's Office of Licensure and Certification.

Abortion-rights supporters have argued that the architectural and building code requirements could mean closure for some clinics that cannot easily comply (AP/WJLA, 6/2).

The Board of Health will vote on the regulations on June 15 (Washington Post, 6/2).

Video Round Up

N.C. Gov. To Break Campaign Promise on Abortion Bills

AP/ABC News 11's Ed Crump discusses how North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory (R) will break his campaign pledge to not sign any abortion restrictions if he signs a 72-hour mandatory delay bill into law. Watch the video

Datapoints

See where states rank on reproductive rights across the U.S. Plus, find out how states are imposing more restrictions on and limiting women's access to abortion. Read more

At A Glance

"Not since before Roe v. Wade has a law or court decision had the potential to devastate access to reproductive health care on such a sweeping scale."

— Nancy Northup, president and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights, on a ruling from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that upheld major portions of a Texas antiabortion-rights law. Read more